Jamaican cherry (calabura, takhop farang) Muntingia calabura
Jamaican cherry (calabura, takhop farang) (Muntingia calabura) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Muntingiaceae family, native to Southern Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and north-western South America. It grows 5–12 m (16–39 ft) tall and 5–10 m (16–33 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 3 °C (37 °F). Space plants about 6 m (20 ft) apart.
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Jamaican cherry (calabura, takhop farang) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Muntingiaceae |
| Mature height | 5–12 m (16–39 ft) |
| Mature spread | 5–10 m (16–33 ft) |
| Spacing | 6 m (20 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About 3 °C (37 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | about 52–104 weeks after planting, for 29–47 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: fruit (sweet, cotton-candy flavour, many tiny seeds) |
| Native to | Southern Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and north-western South America |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇮🇳 India |
| Invasive in | Pacific islands and parts of tropical Asia (naturalised widely from bird- and bat-dispersed seed; CABI): check local rules before planting |
Is Jamaican cherry (calabura, takhop farang) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Jamaican cherry (calabura, takhop farang)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Jamaican cherry (calabura, takhop farang)
- How far apart should I plant Jamaican cherry (calabura, takhop farang)?
- About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–10 m (16–33 ft).
- Does Jamaican cherry (calabura, takhop farang) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Jamaican cherry (calabura, takhop farang) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Jamaican cherry (calabura, takhop farang)?
- It tolerates about 3 °C (37 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Jamaican cherry (calabura, takhop farang) flower?
- About 52–104 weeks after planting, for 29–47 weeks.
- Is Jamaican cherry (calabura, takhop farang) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Jamaican cherry (calabura, takhop farang)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Jamaican cherry (calabura, takhop farang). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: needs warm nights all year; in a frosty climate grow it under glass or as a summer container plant.
- Grows very fast on poor, dry ground and fruits all year; branches spread in flat tiers. Birds and bats love the fruit, which is why it pops up uninvited along roads and canals.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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